Maya Stark

Chapter 124: This is Ridiculous

I was sitting on the couch reading, trying to forget everything outside of this home and my family. Morgan was playing in the middle of the room and Pepper was in the kitchen. I was nervous. I hated this feeling. God, I couldn't focus, reading the same page over and over again. May had texted me about an hour or so ago saying Peter was arrested. I was waiting for any news, my nerves on high alert. She thought she had found a lawyer and that was the last I heard. Then the doorbell rang, and my head snapped up.

'Stay here, Morgan,' I say, ruffling her hair as I walk out to the door, right behind Pepper. 'You don't think its...'

'I don't know,' she says, giving me an uneasy look.

I don't see how it could be anyone else. If Peter was arrested, they were sure as hell coming to me next.

'Federal agents!' came someone behind the door.

I could almost feel the fear start to fill my body, but Pepper puts a hand on my shoulder. I look at her with wide eyes.

'It's okay,' she said. 'They can't have any evidence to actually arrest you. When you see May you tell her I'll pay for the lawyer, anything to help them.'

I nod and she opens the door. There were three police officers standing there, all of them had their hands on their guns. Smart move.

'It's pointless to cuff me,' I say, when the one guy steps forward to bring out handcuffs. 'If I wanted to get away, I could have already.'

He regards me for a second before nodding and motioning for me to follow them. I turn to Pepper.

'Tell Morgan I'm sorry for taking off again,' I say.

'She'll understand,' Pepper said, trying for a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

I follow the officers outside and am escorted into the back of a cop car. I stare at the cabin as we leave, Pepper standing on the porch watching us drive away. She had been through so much and I never made anything easier for her.

The ride there was quiet on my part. The cops didn't talk to me, and I didn't talk to them. Though the two driving me whispered to each other as if I couldn't hear them. They were not fans, to put it lightly. When they walked me into the department, I immediately hear my name. I turn to see MJ waving at me, Ned, and May right next to her. I walk to them quickly, nobody bothering to stop me.

'Why are you here?' I ask Ned and MJ.

'We are accomplices,' Ned said. 'This is insane.'

'Peter's okay,' May said. 'And we found a lawyer. But... Peter isn't completely cut out for this.'

'Good thing he didn't do anything wrong then,' I say, giving her a reassuring smile. Then I turn to Ned. 'You do not talk in there. You stay silent. Don't ask questions, don't answer theirs. They're gonna try and make you jealous, and try to twist your words. Don't let them get to you. Understand?'

Ned nods quickly and I return with a reassuring nod. My dad had honestly trained me for this exact situation, especially after I got powers. I knew the rules. I knew my rights. And I knew what happens when police interrogate you. I knew what was about to happen. Pretty soon we are all escorted deeper into the department. We pass by the room where Peter was handcuffed to a table, some officer talking to him.

'Peter!' I shout.

He turns quickly and scans his eyes around at us. 'Maya! Uh—they had nothing to do with it, sir!'

May and I shout back, in unison, 'Don't say anything, we got a lawyer!'

We were continued on into the department until we were all put in separate interrogation rooms. I sit there for who knows how long, my mind sorting through every possible tactic they could use. I had something to hide. I couldn't tell them I was working against Peter and with Beck. I couldn't tell them I knew the elementals were fake. But I could tell them how much of a bad person Beck was. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm not going to say anything, or at least try not to. Not without a lawyer. Dad drilled that into my head early on. Some memories I can't just forget.